Restaurant Review: Sotto Sotto, Bath

Set below ground level and hidden beneath the cobbled streets of Bath, Sotto Sotto reflects the meaning of its name accurately. Translating to ‘underneath’, this discreet Italian restaurant is located in the cellar of a traditional Bath residence and is barely noticeable from the streets above.

Sotto Sotto’s outer facade reflects the typical architecture found throughout the city. However, walk down the steps and into the restaurant and you are met with an enchanting and low lit interior, oozing with warmth and capturing the essence of a true Italian cavern.

Although not noticeable, it is clear that word of mouth has spread, as the arched rooms were packed with people. With its beautiful bare stone walls, vaulted ceilings and the sound of happy voices echoing throughout, Sotto Sotto welcomes you before you have even been greeted.

We were lead to a cosy table nestled in the corner of the room. The enthusiastic waiter presented us with the menu and two glasses of chilled Chardonnay, leaving us to dwell for a while taking in the extensive choice of dishes. Although the restaurant was unique and unexpected at first, the menu was representative of your usual Italian; pastas, pizzas and bruchettas were the main focus, with ice creams and tiramisu to follow.

Our shared starter of marinated king prawns served on Tuscan bread (£6.75) was appetising yet not outstanding. The size and presentation was impressive, however the taste uninspiring.

For our main course we opted for linguine tossed with prawns, sun-dried tomatoes, anchovies, black olives, capers, garlic and olive oil (£7,95) and a fillet of fresh sea bass wrapped in smoked parma ham and sautéed with white wine, cherry tomatoes and asparagus (£16,95); luckily our faith was restored as this dish did not disappoint, every flavour was apparent, every ingredient fresh and every mouthful satisfying.

Feeling content, we pondered over the dessert menu for some time and succumbed to a shared panna cotta (£4.49) which was light and delicate and enjoyed a glass of dessert wine to compliment.

Romantic, magical and atmospheric, Sotto Sotto is a true dining experience and we would willingly go back. With welcoming staff and good quality food, there is no reason not to like this place. The menu was less impressive than the building itself, but for those looking for a relaxing and affordable restaurant with a difference, Sotto Sotto is a hidden gem waiting to be discovered.

Main Dining Room

Hallway to Dining Room

 

Seafood Chowder

It’s coming towards the end of January and everyone is well underway with their new year detoxes…well everyone other than me.

I am usually extremely healthy, starting the day with a bowl of porridge or yogurt, eating fruit or soup for lunch and cutting my sugary snack intake during the day. However, when it comes to dinner I can think of nothing more depressing during these winter months, than tucking into rabbit food and cardboard. Also, a g&t always goes down a treat and works wonders on my mood, therefore why should I sacrifice something that makes me happy!? My new years resolution isn’t dry and detox January, it’s just stay happy, healthy and exercise as much as possible, basically my goal for life not just for this month.

I know it’s tricky to balance enjoyment with health, but just because it tastes great doesn’t mean it has to be bad. Food enjoyment is mainly down to lots of flavours and fresh ingredients, and remember a dash of something naughty isn’t going to hurt, just try to work it off the following day.

One of my main food staples is fish and there is no doubt that it makes you look and feel great, so during this chilly snap a seafood chowder never fails to satisfy me, whilst remaining on the healthy’ish’ side – be warned my following recipe doesn contain some cream, however it is only 1/4 of a pint and served between six really isn’t much. You could always give the cream a miss, but I say keep it in and work it off tomorrow… you won’t regret it.

My Seafood chowder recipe – serving 6:

Ingredients

1 tbsp olive olive

110g/4oz streaky bacon, rind removed, cut into pieces

175-225g/6-8oz chopped onions

25g/1oz plain flour

1½ pints fish stock

¾ pint milk

Bouquet garni

12 new potatoes, cut in half

salt and freshly ground pepper

chopped red chilli (quantity your preference)

1 small tin of sweetcorn

700g/1½ lb smoked haddock, cod or other firm white fish

150ml/¼ pint single cream

450g/1lb mixed cooked shellfish – mussels and prawns

A handful of freshly chopped parsley

Crusty bread and butter

Method

1. Heat the oil in a saucepan and brown the bacon well until it is crisp.
2. Add the onion, cover and sweat for a few minutes over a low heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes.
3. Add the fish stock gradually. Add the milk, bouquet garni and potatoes. Season well with salt, pepper and chilli.
4. Cover and simmer until the potatoes are almost cooked, approximately 5-6 minutes.
5. Cut the fish into chunks. Add to the saucepan as soon as the potatoes are cooked.
6. Add sweetcorn and simmer gently for 3-4 minutes, stir in the cream and add the shellfish. When boiling, remove from the heat.
7. Taste, correct the seasoning and sprinkle with parsley.

I think the chowder is best served with crusty bread and butter and a wedge of lemon, however if you are staying clear of the carbs, just eat it on its own, the potatoes are filling enough.

Enjoy 🙂

The Windmill Pub, Hollingbourne

On my first trip to Kent two years ago, I was taken to a restaurant located in the beautiful Chapel Down vine yard estate and owned by the celebrity chef Richard Phillips. The restaurant was perfect and quickly became my favorite place to eat in the UK, however unfortunately due to the local council imposing function restrictions, last year it was closed.

Although Phillips has three other restaurants within the South east, they have all been a little too far for me to travel too. Therefore when I heard about his newest opening, The Windmill in Hollingbourne, I was over the moon and eager to try it, so on the Saturday after Christmas my boyfriend and I visited.

On arrival, the pub itself looked dainty, traditional and a lot less sensational than I imagined; Chapel Down really was a breathtaking setting. However entering through the large oak door I soon began to be wowed. The pub encompassed low ceilings, several small dining rooms, dramatic real fires and low lit lighting, transforming this traditional inn into a romantic and charming building bursting with character.

Once through the door we were greeted by a young waiter and directed to the cosy bar area for pre-dinner drinks. Whilst enjoying an iced gin and tonic and local ale, my boyfriend and I admired the bar’s imaginative decor and wide selection of local ales and fine wines. The one and only Richard Philips was also stood opposite us and was happily socialising with the local punters.

Whilst at the bar, we were handed large A3 menus containing wholesome dishes all reasonably priced and made using local and seasonal produce. If you were visiting The Windmill for lunch they offer a reasonable two course menu for £10.00 or three for £12.00. If it is just a light bite that you fancy, their ham and cheese platters with a bottle of wine to share or small plates such as Scotch Egg with Black Pudding, Piccalilli would definitely fit the bill.

Once we had ordered our food we were directed to a snug table at the corner of one of the small enclaves and served two large glasses of wine. The atmosphere was busy yet intimate and everyone around us seemed to be having a great time. The Windmill seemed to cater for all; whether you are a local wanting a good pint, a family looking for a relaxed and value for money meal or a knowledgeable foodie searching for high quality food and stylish surroundings, The Windmill offers something for everyone.

To begin our meal we chose a basket of Bread, Olives and English Cured Ham (£3.40). The Ham was aged and full of flavour and even the bread was impressive, as it was home-baked and served with garlic butter wrapped in clear sweet wrappers.

Breads and ham

To follow, I enjoyed Poached Fillet of Smoked Haddock with a Soft Poached Hens Egg, Crushed Potatoes with Chives and a Grain Mustard Butter Sauce (£13.50); the fish was flaky, the potatoes soft in the middle and crunchy on the outside and the sauce indulgently creamy and complimentary to the whole dish. My boyfriend tucked into Slow Cooked Haunch of Kentish Venison served with Roast Baby Onions, Local Foraged Mushrooms, Chestnuts, Smoked Bacon and a Red Wine Sauce (£18.25); although still tasty, the Venison did require a little more sauce as it was verging on the dry side but nothing to complain about.

Poached Haddock

Finally we shared a chocolate parfait (£5.95) which looked like a work of art and tasted rich and velvety. We were then directed to two large armchairs in front of the fire and enjoyed coffees served with complimentary homemade, hot mince pies; a tasty added touch.

It took a lot for us to leave the warmth and charm of The Windmill but with the service, food, drink and overall price, we will definitely be returning soon.  Everyone should give this establishment a try, these days it is quite difficult to find somewhere that can please every taste and budget whilst remaining high-class and extra special – so here is a top find that fits all of that!

Visit The Windmill’s website here